The Weekend Ahead – March 17 – 19

It’s a biggie this weekend. Arts Month kicks things up a notch with the Asia Contemporary Art Show, Hong Kong French Theatre Festival, and a couple of tasty exhibitions joining the fray. Also, it’s Paddy’s Day on Friday – you don’t need us to tell you what that’s all about, just see below for some of the best events if you’re feeling thirsty. There’s a ludicrous amount of stuff on this weekend and next week, so if neither art or drinking take your fancy, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Have at it.

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TakeOut Comedy Presents: Dwayne Perkins LIVE

American stand-up comedian and regular crowd pleaser, Dwayne Perkins is one of biggest names on the global comedy circuit. He is best known for his appearances on Conan, Comedy Central and The Jay Leno Show. Now he’s coming to Hong Kong to spread the laughter. Although he may occasionally address uncomfortable topics and drop a few harsh truths, he doesn’t directly attack anyone or anything. Perkins has successfully mastered the art of understanding how different people will take away different things they see and hear, and tackles his controversial topics accordingly.

Taste of Hong Kong Festival

Taste of Hong Kong returns for it second edition in 2017, and it’s shaping up to dwarf its inaugural year in terms of scope! Some of Asia’s finest food and drink producers will be taking over Central Harbourfront for four days of spectacular food and drink. Jam-packed with dishes from the city’s finest restaurants, as well as fantastic drinks and entertainment, this is a must for any self-respecting foodie. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy 26% off tickets when you book them now!

Grab your tickets!

Terms and conditions apply. Discount is applied to General Admission tickets only when booked in advance through Ticketflap. Savings based on the usual door price for Non-Standard Chartered customers and excludes booking and transaction fees.

The Punchline Comedy Club’s All Irish Night

Bringing together a trifecta of red hot Irish stand-up talent, The Punchline Comedy Club’s All Irish Night has become a highlight in Hong Kong’s comedy calendar. This year sees Ireland’s answer to Flight of the Conchord’s, Totally Wired! take the stage alongside one of Ireland’s busiest comics, Ian Coppinger, and critically acclaimed stand-up, columnist and broadcaster, Colm O’ Regan. Due to high demand, performances will take place over three days on March 16, 17, and 18. Tickets are moving fast though so get yours before it’s too late!

St. Patrick’s Day at The Pontiac

Any bar that plays a Nirvana, Slipknot, and System of a Down track within the space of an hour is an instant hit for me. Throw in car bombs, Guinness, Jameson, Irish Flag jello shots, all priced at around $40 to $80 each and it’s basically heaven. See you there.

Paddy’s Week at Rula Bula

This will likely be the busiest spot on the list come Friday, your eyes will be joyously assailed with endless lines of cheaply made hats and luminous, green capes. On the night, Rula Bula will be offering discount drinks (including Guinness and basics), Irish snacks, leprechaun hats, and Irish dancing. Great craic.

St. Patricks Day at the Continental Bar

Bottomless beers for $185. You want more information? Really? Fine. This is a good spot if you want to avoid the encroaching madness and business at the city’s more established party spots. The Continental Bar’s outdoor terrace will be a more sedate affair with Kronenbourg 1664 Lager, Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc, Grimbergen Blonde, and of course, Guinness all on offer.

St. Patrick’s Day Improv Comedy

Adding a little St Patrick’s Day twist to the improv night, that being switching gears to something that involves drinking with both performers and the audience taking part in drinking games. As painful as improv can usually be, Orange Peel’s version is always top-drawer – throw a drinking game into the mix, and you’re really onto something.

Paddy’s Day at Ham & Sherry

The cocktail and tapas maestros have Irish-themed cocktails abound at their Back Bar as well as black pudding sausage (oh god yes). Options include the Dubliner – Teeling Irish Whiskey and Guinness, the Pot o’ Gold Whiskey Mule, and, if you ask really nicely, their special Green Clover cocktail.

The Irish Village

The second instalment of this Paddy’s Day bonanza will see the city’s formidable Irish contingent descend on Cyberport. If you fancy joining them (or, if you’re part of said contingent and want to know what you’re in for), the Irish Village – which by the way, don’t be fooled by the name, it’s a pub, and no amount of green tinsel can change that – includes a five-piece Irish band, a full troupe of Irish dancers, and an Irish comedy show. That coupled with great Irish food and bevs and a large sprinkling of Irish hospitality. Irish.

Asia Contemporary Art Show

See thousands of artworks from Asia and around the world on display at the Conrad Hotel at the 10th edition of the Asia Contemporary Art Show. Offering a uniquely intimate experience for art lovers across the city, the show invites guests to explore work from over 80 galleries representing 17 counties across the globe. Guests can browse and buy original paintings, limited editions, sculptures, and photography from some of the world’s most interesting and promising artists.

Absolut Art Bar – ‘Room Service’

A collaboration between the vodka behemoths and Portuguese-born, Hong Kong-based artist João Vasco Paiva, Room Service is the artist’s vision of a timeless oasis where the contemporary world and nature coincide. Apparently it was inspired by the 1998 film The Thin Red Line, because why the hell not. Throughout the month, Room Service will be putting on a litany of live acoustic shows and DJ sets, as well as some fancy cocktails with fancy ingredients in them. Like pepper. Told you it was fancy.

Belon – Soul Shaker

The utterly fabulous Brenda Vaughn takes up residence at Belon this month to bring uncontrollable levels of cool to Hong Kong’s live music scene. The Soul Shaker series sees the soulful crooner mix old-school showmanship and improvisational brilliance as she absolutely dominates classics from legends such as Otis Reading and Aretha Franklin. There’s also some expertly mixed cocktails on the go which only adds to proceedings (try the Negroni, it’s outrageous). Just don’t robot dance, apparently that’s not cool anymore (or never was, I’m not sure).

Science Alive

Seeking to promote a wider understanding of science and to encourage the pursuit of education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the excellent Science Alive makes a welcome return to Hong Kong. Leading UK scientists and communicators will be in Hong Kong, taking part in activities and workshops along with a full schedule of interactive drama shows, outdoor environmental learning sessions, family workshops, science lectures, and debates.

LIVE at Scarlett!

Fancy doing something a bit different this Paddy’s Day? Well how about hopping over to the ‘dark side’ and hitting up the fabulous Scarlett Café & Wine Bar for some live acoustic music in a cosy and laid-back setting. Expect a lively atmosphere, creativity and beats, and there might even be an Irish person there, now doesn’t that sound swell? And did we mention that Scarlett does one of the best happy hour deals in town? Oh yeah.

Ambiguously Yours: Gender in Hong Kong Popular Culture

M+ Museum’s first exhibition exploring popular culture through the aesthetics of androgyny and gender fluidity. Featuring over 90 works dating from the 1960s to 2016, Ambiguously Yours focuses in particular on the 1980s and 1990s, widely recognised as the heyday of Hong Kong popular culture, looking at how the widespread experimentation and creativity of that period has had a lasting influence on the visual culture of today.

Wing Shya: Sweet Sorrow Exhibition

An exhibition of new photographs by Hong Kong-based artist Wing Shya. All proceeds from the exhibition will benefit the Hong Kong Adventist Hospital Foundation Cancer Fund. Sweet Sorrow is an exploration of the human experience in the information age where feelings of loneliness, alienation, and isolation are common as a result of sensory overload. Set against a dark, chaotic urban background, Shya’s photographs depict bold and striking figures that stand out from their surroundings, but remain detached and almost lifeless in their expressions, alluding to the idea that even achieving so-called “success” and “fame” in this era of acceleration is a worthless and empty pursuit.

45th Hong Kong Arts Festival

Featuring over 1,600 outstanding international and local artists in 129 performances, this year’s Hong Kong Arts Festival is shaping to be the biggest ever. Encompassing everything within the creative arts spectrum across opera, music, theatre, and dance, the festival has established itself as a global cultural highlight. This weekend we say goodbye to the festival for another year, thankfully, they’re going out with a bang with La Bayadère, Druid – The Beauty Queen of Leenane, and Louis Langrée and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra among others over the weekend.

When:UntilMarch 18Where: Various locations (click here for programmes)How much: Varies by each performanceClick here for more information or to book your tickets

Hong Kong French Theatre Festival

Adding a touch of je ne sais quois to Arts Month is the second edition of the Hong Kong French Theatre Festival. Four amazing performances will take place over as many days including Les Fourberies de Scapin (Scapin the Schemer), Le Choix des Âmes (The Dilemma of the Souls), De quoi parlez-vous? (What are saying?), and Adieu, Monsieur Haffmann (Farewell, Mr. Haffmann). All profits from the festival will go towards supporting the organisation, which has saved and educated thousands of Cambodian children. If you’re not fluent in the language of love then don’t panic, as English subtitles will accompany each performance.

When:Until March18, (8pm)Where: French International School Auditorium, 34 Price Road, Jardine’s Lookout; or Chinese International School, 1 Hau Yuen Path, Braemar Hill, Tin HauHow much: $300 per show for adults; $200 per show for students; $1000 adult pass for all showsClick here for more information

SCAD Hong Kong Workshop Day

Meet with students, professors and alumni at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Hong Kong as you learn more about the university’s award-winning art and design degree programs. Prospective students and families can tour the university’s beautifully restored building in Sham Shui Po. SCAD Hong Kong students enjoy access to state-of-the-art resources — including digital labs, darkrooms, a green screen studio and more — as they pursue creative degrees ranging from fashion and illustration to photography and visual effects. After the tour, attendees may participate in a faculty-led interactive workshop and meet one-on-one with SCAD admission representatives to begin their application.

Pure Yoga Community Class

Spring into action and find balance with #YogaForAll community classes at Pure Yoga locations and a special outdoor class at The Peak. These Complimentary classes are open to all Pure cardholders and non-cardholders. The #YogaForAll series is part of Pure’s initiative to nurture the community through celebrating inclusivity and introducing the benefits of yoga into more people’s lives. For regular yogis or those who have never touched a yoga mat before – classes are designed to be approachable for all.

Glendalough Irish Whiskey Dinner

Celebrating all things Irish whiskey related, Glendalough’s inaugural dinner will be putting on a four-course meal with a selection of free-flow Irish Whiskey for sampling. If that wasn’t enough, you’ll have prime seats to watch all the action from the final day of the rugby Six Nations (c’mon Scotland!).

Scratch Bastid

Over the past 15 years, Canada’s Skratch Bastid has been spreading his skills and name around the world through sweaty crowds and viral videos alike. What started at DJ competitions like DMC, ITF, and Scribble Jam – where he became a certified entertainer and show favourite – has lead to establishing him as a “DJ’s DJ” and a true master of the craft recognised by the best in the game. Get yourself along if you want to see how it’s done.

Indian Couture Experience

The first of it’s kind in Hong Kong, Indian Couture Experience will present capsule collections from twenty of the India’s finest designers covering apparel, shoes, and bags. As well as that there will be hair styling and makeup sessions, henna tattoo art, tarot card reading, and a beauty workshop.

Sweat It Out

Sick of spending your Saturday mornings hungover in your flat? Well, why don’t you spend your Saturday morning hungover in a pool, being yelled at by sadistic, beautiful people who want to make you suffer? We say yelled at, really we mean encourage as you engage in one of the city’s most high-octane workouts. Your price of entry bags you an hour’s sweating, refreshments, and detox drinks, and a goodie bag.

Paws by the Sea

Stanley Plaza’s annual dog bonanza returns! As usual, there’ll be a smorgasbord of mental stuff going on throughout the duration – Architecture for Dogs (yip), a Doggie Art Show (aha), and the proverbial kibble on the cake – a Guinness Book of Records world record attempt for the longest line of photo cut-out boards with a dog’s picture – making all other world records trivial by comparison.

HKwalls Street Art Festival

Take to the streets and watch in awe as a talented team of international and local artists splatter Hong Kong’s walls with creativity and expression. Returning for its fourth consecutive year, the nine-day HKwalls Street Art Festival is an alternative addition to the Arts Month schedule and will see the industrial district of Wong Chuk Hang get an edgy facelift. With diversity in its blood, and quirks lying around every corner, the participating artists will not have to look far for inspiration in this vibrant neighbourhood. Don’t miss the free Closing Block Party at Ovolo Southside on March 26.

Sleepmakeswaves

Since forming over 10 years ago, this Aussie, instrumental four-piece have made ‘waves’ (I’m sorry, please don’t click away), writing textured, dynamic, and emotive songs combining delicate beauty with dramatic climaxes. Strong word of mouth and critical praise has seen the band’s fan base grow worldwide, with over 50,000 people downloading their tracks online and airplay on triple j, Radio K, and the BBC. Well worth your hard-earned dollars.

Perrier Jouët Garden of Wonder

Throwing their hat into the ring for arts month, Perrier Jouët’s Garden of Wonder is a lovely retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Wine and art aficionados will be in their element with the premier champagne house’s new permanent Cuvée, Perrier-Jouët Blanc de Blanc on-the-go French digital artist Miguel Chevalier’s mesmerising video installation, Extra Natural.

LKF Savouring Art Month

Returning for its second year, LKF Groups Savouring Art and Exhibitions campaign will see 12 restaurants in Lan Kwai Fong and California Tower create their special, thematic dishes and accompanying drinks. Going along with this year’s theme of “Colour of Ingredients”, expect the participating restaurants – which includes favourites such as CÉ LA VI, Kyoto Joe, and Mercato – to come up with some bright, playful, and delicious plates.

Where:Lan Kwai Fong (full restaurant list here)When:Until March 31How much: VariousClick here for more information and to book

Lan Kwai Fong Savouring Art – Vertical Gallery

Featuring over 40 pieces of world-famous print paintings and sculptures, from internationally renowned artists including Bansky, D*Face, Damien Hirst, and many more, Hong Kong’s first ever “Vertical Gallery” is a worthy addition to arts month. Some of the most recognisable imagery from contemporary art has been totally reworked, allowing them to take a whole new aesthetic prominence. Seeing Banksy’s Flower Bomber as a kind of action figure is fascinating, propagating his influence on pop culture.

When: Until March 31Where: Various restaurants within California Tower, Lan Kwai FongHow much: FreeClick here for more information

Hsiao Chin: Important Works in the 1960s

A unique insight into the career and work of pioneering Taiwanese abstract artist Hsiao Chin, which largely consists of curved and straight bold lines and shapes, touching upon concepts surrounding oriental spirituality with abstract symbolism.

Phantasmagoria

A new art exhibition, yay! Australian illustrator Chloe Bennett’s Phantasmagoria showcases a collection of pop-art visuals, exploring the glorification of mundane and pedestrian objects. The main exhibition will feature five of Bennet’s aerosol on canvas works, three of which are inspired by Eastern food. The specially commissioned “Brain Food” serves as a play on the Cantonese staple of dim sum, where two bright hued brains and a dish of soy sauce are presented in a bamboo steamer basket. Get it? It’s called Brain Food, and it’s a picture of a brain – as food. Good thing you have us here to explain all this super deep, sub-textual art stuff.

The Coming Week

Art Central

Hong Kong’s most stylish and cutting-edge art event is back for round three. Large-scale installations, engaging talks, and performances promise to lure more art lovers than ever before through the doors of the architecturally designed gallery at Central Harbourfront. The fair will feature over 100 leading international galleries, 75% of which will hail from across the Asia Pacific. Billed as the best place to eat during Hong Kong Art Week, the fair will play host to some of Hong Kong’s hottest eateries within Street Food Central and a bespoke restaurant created especially for the event.

Premier Art Fair

Splashing onto the Hong Kong Art Month scene for the first time ever, the Premier Art Fair will be showcasing works from 50 galleries across 50 guest rooms on the 16th floor of the Excelsior Hotel, inviting guests to view 1,500 artworks by around 300 artists from fifteen nations. There’s certainly no shortage of choice, with prices ranging from $2,000 to $200,000, encompassing traditional painting, contemporary art, pop art, mixed media, photography, and sculpture.

Art Basel

It’s the biggie and it’s back for the fifth year. The prestigious Art Basel presents over 3,000 artists encompassing the entire artistic spectrum. With at least half of all the pieces on display hailing from the Asia-Pacific region, the Hong Kong edition of this global art show is totally unique to the Miami and Basel shows. The Galleries sector of this year’s Art Basel will present art from 190 of the world’s leading modern and contemporary art galleries, displaying paintings, sculptures, drawings, installations, photographs, film, video, and digital artworks from the 20th and 21st centuries.

Kids Yoga Complimentary Trial Class

Want to encourage your kids to try something new that you know will have a positive impact on them? Well, yoga’s not a bad way to go – the ancient practice creates a fun, non-competitive environment for children that promotes improved behaviour, mental state, and performance.

Bo Ningen

Formed in 2006, Japanese psych-punk outfit Bo Ningen make their welcome return to Hong Kong following a standout 2015 Clockenflap performance, for their first headline show in Hong Kong. The band’s sound has been described as everything from Can meets Sabbath to Kraftwerk meets Fugazi. All we know is that the quartet’s form of jazzed up acid punk is nothing short of breathtaking – especially live.